Follow Us
Tribune News Service & PTI
Hyderabad, December 1
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) today ordered the setting up of a fast-track court for expeditious trial in the case of rape and murder of a woman veterinarian near here and assured all necessary help to her family.
In his first public statement after the incident, Rao also described the rape and murder of the 25-year-old woman by four men as “ghastly” and expressed his deep anguish.
He directed officials to initiate the process for setting up a fast-track court and ensure that the culprits got tough punishment, a statement from his office said here.
Meanwhile, the Ranga Reddy District Bar Association here has decided not to represent any of the four accused in the court. Association president Mattapally Srinivas said they had taken the decision as “a moral and social responsibility against the heinous crime committed by the accused”.
“We have decided not to offer any legal service to the accused. In such cases, the court may direct the District Legal Services Authority to appoint a lawyer for them.
When the authority directs any advocate to represent the accused, we cannot refuse it,” he said. Lawyers would organise a protest on December 2 at the main entrance of the court building “to condemn the inhuman attack”, he added.
Meanwhile, there is no letup in outrage over the incident with people demanding “instant capital punishment” for the accused. The families of the accused also looked appalled at the gruesome incident and have come out to say “hang them, if guilty”.
“Let him be hanged or set on fire like what they have done to the veterinarian after raping her. I have a daughter too and can understand the pain,” said Shyamala, mother of accused Channakeshavulu.
Many of those gathered outside the Shadnagar police station were heard saying, “Hand them over to us and we will bring them to justice instantly.” Moole Bi, mother of prime accused Areef, said, “Let him be given any punishment that he deserves for the horrific act.”
3
6